The Delta independent., 1887-06-21
THE FLAGS WILL STAY.
President Cleveland Com - to the Con clu-
sion that he has no Auth ortty to Re-
turn tho Rebel Flag.

President Cleveland Com-s to the conelu-
sion that he has no Auth ortty to Re-
tnrn the Rebel Flag.
WASHINGTON, June 16.-The follow
ing letter was sent to the Secretary OF War
by the President to-day in regard to the
disposition of the flags captured by the
Union forces during the late war:
have to-day considered with more care
than when the subject was orally presented
to me the action OF your department direct-
ing that letters be addressed to the Govern
ors of all the states offering to return. II de-
sired, to the loyal states the Union flags
Captured during the war of the Rebellion 10y
the Confederate forces and afterwards re-
covered by the Government troops and 10
the Confederate States all flags captured hI
the Union forces. all of which for many
years have been packed in hoxts ana stored
In the cellar and attic OF the War Depart
ment.
/ am of the opinion that the return of
these flags in the manner thus contemplated
| is not authorized by any existing law nor
justified as all executive act. l request
| therefore, that no further steps be taken in
The matter except to examine and inventory
their preservation. ANY direction as u the
| final disposition of them should originate
"''' GROVER CLEVELAND.
The following statement with regard to
the Presidents action concerning the pro-
posed return OF the battle-fags was made
| at the White House tonight to represen
| tative of the Associated Press:
when the question was proposed to the
President by Adjutant-General Drum, an
| important feature suggested was the return
| to the loyal States of the flags which had
been captured by the Confederatcs and re
taken by our army at the time ofthe collapse
OF the Rebellion. They, with such Confed
crate flags as had been captured from the
enemy by our troops had,i was asrepresented
for long time lain uncared for and neg
lected, packed away in boxes in the cellar
of the War Department and had been re-
moved to the attic as better place for lheil
safe-k seping. The disposition of thes.
flags, which seemed to be answering no
good purpose where they were, was the
main point, and the consideration was
presented TO the President that some fiags
| had been returned to the loyal States upon
their request in individual cases and the
| rest. il desired. might as well be returned
together.
The return of the Confederate fags.which
| were with others in the Department was
suggested. hut there was not the slightest
! thought of interfering in any way with the
captured flags which are now held by any
State. An act which was apparently re-
ceived with favor by the country WAS that
lately in one or more cases the Northern
troops, while visiting their late antagonists
at the South. bad reiurned to them some
flags, which had been captured in battl,
from those whose hospitalities they were
| receiving.
The further fact that Northern troops
who within short time had been visiting
Southern ba:tlefelds had spoke in the
warmest terms of the kind and hospitabl.
treatment which they had received from
former Confederate soldiers.
The fact, too, that soldiers from the
North and South were just gathering at
Y ashington to meet in kindly competition
at the National drill, seem to indicate that
If Union flags were returned to the ioyal
States which had lost them in battle, IL
would not be inconsistent with that frater-
nal sentiment which seemed to be preva-
lent TO offer, at the same time to the Cover
nors of the States formerly in rebellion, the
Return OF the flags which had been taken
from their soldiers.
The right of the department to make
these returns being questioned by the Pres
iient, such right was distinctly asserted
and precedents were alleged, and thereupon
his oral assent was given to the proposed
action. The matter was dismissed from,
his mind until the comment thereupon
within the last day or two brought it again
to his attention. when, upon personally eS-
amining the law, and considering the sub
ject more carefully, he satisfied himself
that no dispossivn, OF these flags could be
made without Congressional action where
upon. he directed the suspension of opera
tions by the letter which was made public
this evening.